Woodford Folk Festival a celebration of arts and community

One of Australia’s most popular and inspiring cultural festivals will provide a greater platform for Queensland artists with funding support from the Bligh Government.

Arts Minister Rod Welford said the Woodford Folk Festival had been allocated an industry development initiative grant of $100,000, through Arts Queensland, to increase the number of Queensland artists and performers in the 2008 program.

“The annual Woodford Folk Festival, now in its 22^nd year, has grown from grassroots beginnings to become a significant festival of international standing,” Mr Welford said.

“This funding will ensure Queensland artists have a chance to shine at this home-grown festival while giving emerging performers valuable experience in a nurturing and creative environment.

“Our Government has been a major supporter of the Woodford Folk Festival for more than a decade, providing around $2.6 million for land acquisition, site development and project and operational funding.”

The 2007-08 Woodford Folk Festival, 27 December to 1 January, received $75,000 in State Government funding, including $50,000 from Arts Queensland for the concert program and a further $25,000 from QFleet for supplying vehicles.

This year’s concert program will include performances from The Cat Empire, Sarah Blasko and The Waifs.

Mr Welford said the Woodford Folk Festival was unique, integrating arts of every kind with social dialogue and debate while cultivating a true Queensland spirit of community engagement.

“The festival is renowned for its strong focus on showcasing Queensland productions, emerging talent, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures, comprehensive children’s programming and a spectacular closing fire ceremony,” he said.

“It attracts more than 100,000 people across the six days and buzzes with dance, music, forums, street theatre, film, comedy, craft, cabaret and spontaneous artistic collaboration.

“In addition to its cultural impact, the Woodford Folk Festival makes a significant economic contribution to Queensland and to environmental sustainability.”